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American Heart Association asks committee to back school cardiac emergency plans and hands-only CPR training
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Summary
A representative from the American Heart Association asked the committee to support cardiac emergency response plans for schools, promoted hands‑only CPR training events at the State House and urged support for prevention measures including expanded Medicaid eligibility for pregnant and postpartum women.
A representative identified as Tina, speaking for the American Heart Association, told the House Healthcare Committee the organization is promoting school preparedness for cardiac emergencies and community prevention measures that improve cardiovascular outcomes.
"Our mission has not changed over the years, but our mission statement is now to be a relentless force for a world of longer healthier lives," Tina said, and she encouraged committee members to attend a hands‑only CPR demonstration next Friday at the State House. She described a small appropriation the committee secured last year to provide hands‑only CPR kits for schools and said distribution is underway.
Tina asked lawmakers to support legislation that would require cardiac emergency response plans in schools and for sports programs, telling the committee that out‑of‑hospital cardiac‑arrest survival currently stands at roughly 10 percent. She described a recent case in which an athletic trainer, an automated external defibrillator and trained bystanders revived a student during a basketball game and said similar readiness could double survival rates.
She also outlined related health policy priorities the association supports: expanding Medicaid eligibility for pregnant and postpartum women, continued funding for tobacco‑prevention programs, stronger tobacco retail licensure and online‑sales enforcement, and support for paid‑family‑leave proposals that would help patients and caregivers. Tina invited committee members to a legislative breakfast on Feb. 7 that will convene athletic trainers, school nurses and survivors to discuss the school‑preparedness proposal.
She described plans to work with Capitol Police and other offices to offer broader CPR certification training and emphasized the immediate, practical nature of the request: stand‑alone hands‑only training and clear plans in schools could save lives while longer‑term prevention work continues.
